Cooler with retractable horns

ABSTRACT

Described is a cooler that stores and maintains food and beverages at a desired temperature, but also doubles as a training apparatus for steer roping. The steer roping apparatus may be integrated with a cooler handle configured as steer horns and an optional steer snout. The horns and/or snout may be extended, rotated or otherwise adjusted to generate various horn and snout positions for simulating a complete training regiment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to coolers, trainingdevices and combinations thereof, more specifically, to a portablecooler that can be used to train for steer roping.

BACKGROUND

Coolers have become increasingly popular as their portability has beenenhanced with wheels and handles. They are commonly used in variousoutings such as picnics, parties and camping for maintaining food andbeverages at a desired temperature. In other instances, they are used atcompetitions and sporting events.

Steer roping is perhaps one of the oldest roping skills practiced bythose engaged in cattle ranching operations or at rodeo competitions.One of the ways to practice steer head roping is to use a trainingapparatus that simulates a steer's head so that roping practice can berepeated without undue or burdensome delay.

Although both devices have been around for a long time, no one hasthought to combine them such that a cooler may act as a trainingapparatus related to a rodeo competition. More particularly, thereexists a need for a portable cooler that can also function as a trainingdevice for steer roping.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses acooler comprising: a body; and a handle coupled to said body, saidhandle configured as a pair of horns. The cooler can further include acover and one or more coupled wheels. Ideally, the horns are retractableand extendable longitudinally and moveable vertically. Furthermore, thehandle can also include a member configured as an animal's snout. Thedesign of the cooler allows it to function as a training apparatus forsteer roping.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention willbecome evident from the following detailed description, drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cooler with retractable hornsaccording to the presently disclosed invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B are corresponding side views of the cooler with the hornsretracted and in a downward position;

FIGS. 3A-3B are corresponding side views of the cooler with the horns ina retracted downward position and, after having moved through a range ofmotion, in a final extended upright position; and

FIGS. 4A-4B are corresponding side views of the cooler with the hornsupright and longitudinally extended for practicing the skill of steerroping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrativeand not restrictive.

Initial reference is made to FIG. 1 illustrating a perspective view of acooler 10 with a handle configured as horns 18 according to thepresently disclosed invention. The cooler 10 includes a body 12 havingan interior cavity for storing and maintaining food and beverages at adesired temperature. Although shown as substantially rectangular, thebody 12 can take on any number of polygonal shapes and sizes. The cooler10 further includes a cover 14 for closing the body 12 wherein the cover14 is removably detachable from the body 12. Alternatively, the cover 14can be pivotably coupled to the body 12 by hinges or other means (notshown). Both the body 12 and the cover 14 can be made of knowninsulating materials and can further include inner and outer shellsand/or foam layers. The body 12 may further include utensil drawers orhinged shelves (not shown) on the sides thereof. The cooler 10, asshown, has wheels 16 for improved mobility and portability. Although thecooler 10 has only two wheels 16, the cooler 10 can have fewer or morethan two wheels 16.

The cooler 10 includes a handle configured in the shape of a pair ofhorns 18 along with a snout 20 disposed about one side of the body 12 ofthe cooler 10. The horns 18 can be longhorns shaped to simulate those ofa steer. Preferably, the length 22 of the horns 18 from end to end isabout 44 cm (or 17.25 inches) when retracted and 55 cm (or 21.75 inches)when longitudinally extended. However, the length, shape and size of thehorns 18 can vary depending on a user's and/or manufacturer'spreference. The horns 18 as shown are operably coupled to a pair ofhandle rails 24, which can be hingably attached to the sides of the body12 of the cooler 10. The handle rails 24 and corresponding hinges arebetter illustrated in subsequent figures. Alternatively, the horns 18can be removably detached and stored when not in use. Ideally, the horns18 can be rotatably coupled to the handle rails 24 such that the horns18 can freely rotate themselves. Also, the handles may be configured asa steer's head as well. The snout 20, in addition to being a decorativesimulation of an animal's snout, can also function as a handlebarsimilar to that of the pair of horns 18. In other words, both the horns18 and the snout 20 can function as handlebars and need not be mutuallyexclusive. Ideally, the snout 20 is hingably attached to the handlerails 24 to provide a more realistic visual perspective of an animal forroping purposes, which will be discussed in more details to follow.Although only one set of horns 18 and one snout 20 are described andillustrated, there can be a plurality of horns 18 and/or snouts 20disposed about the body 12 of the cooler 10.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A-2B illustrating corresponding sideviews of the cooler 10 with the horns 18 longitudinally retracted and ina downward position, which is a preferred position for storing thecooler 10. As described above, the horns 18 may also be detachablyremoved from the cooler 10 for storage purposes. As shown, the handlerails 24 can be coupled to the side of the body 12 by a hinge 26 orother means, which allows the handle rails 24 along with the horns 18and the snout 20 to swing through a range of motions as shown insubsequent figures. In FIGS. 2A-2B, the handle rails 24 and the horns 18are pointed in a downward position with the horns 18 beinglongitudinally retracted. The snout 20 is pointing upward, but remainsaligned with and between the handle rails 24 as viewed from the side asshown in FIG. 2B. Alternatively, the snout 20 may extend away from theside of the cooler 10 and be used as a handlebar even when the handlerails 24 and the horns 18 are pointing downward. Additionally, althoughthe snout 20 is hingably attached to the handle rails 24, the snout 20has the ability to slide the length of the handle rails 24 along slitsor slots (not shown) formed within the handle rails 24. In other words,the snout 20 can slide upward or downward independent of the horns 18.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3B illustrating corresponding sideviews of the cooler 10 with the horns 18 a, snout 18 a and handle rails24 a in an initial position similar to those shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and afinal position with the horns 18 b and handle rails 24 b upright and thesnout 20 b pointing downward in a preferred position for moving ortransporting the cooler 10. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the handle rails 24a, horns 18 a and snout 20 a are initially situated as they are shown inFIGS. 2A-2B. By means of the hinge 26, the horns 18 a, snout 20 a andhandle rails 24 a are able to swing through a range of motion ofapproximately 180 degrees centered about the hinge 26 in the directionas shown by the arrows 21 (i.e., counter-clockwise from 6 o'clock to 12o'clock as best illustrated in FIG. 3B). The final upright position ofthe handle has the horns 18 b and the handle rails 24 b pointing upwardwhile the snout 20 b is pointing downward. Similar to the initial lowerposition of the handle, the snout 20 b can be aligned and between thehandle rails 24 b as viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3B.Furthermore, while in a final upright position, the horns 18 b may beextended (shown by the two arrows 23 in FIG. 3A and by comparing thetotal length of the initial horns 18 a to those of the final horns 18 b)to provide additional handling area for moving or carrying the cooler 10as necessary. In addition, the horns 18 b may be extended for while inthe upright position to allow the cooler 10 to be utilized as a ropingdummy for steer roping practice.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating corresponding sideviews of the cooler 10 having the horns 18 in different ropingpositions. FIGS. 4A-4B show the horns 18 b and handle rails 24 b in anupright position and the horns 18 c and handle rails 24 c in a lowerposition both with the snout 20 c pointing downward. In this portion, aspreviously suggested and shown, the horns 18 b may be used for steerroping practice as if roping an older or larger steer. Alternatively,the horns 18 may be manipulated so that they point straight upward andparallel with the handle rails 24 (not shown). Preferably, torealistically simulate steer roping, the height of the horns 18 and thesnout 20 can be adjusted by manipulating the handle rails 24. Because ofslits or slots within the handle rails 24 b, the horns 18 b along withthe snout 20 can slide the length of the handle rails 24 b resulting inthe horns 18 c and the snout 20 c having a final position that is lowerthan the initial position and more flush with the handle rails 24 c andthe sides of the cooler 10. As best illustrated in FIG. 4B, the horns 18c can be situated closer to the top of the cooler 10 cover 14 such as ifto simulate roping a older or larger steer. Also shown in FIG. 4B, thefinal position of the snout 20 c simulates a protruding snout 20 c,which is as expected when one attempts to simulate roping a young steer.

The means, including springs, hinges, coils and the like, formanipulating, such as retracting, extending or adjusting, the horns 18are well known and are not discussed in further detail herein. Ideally,the horns 18 are made of plastic, metal or other synthetic material.Alternatively, the horns 18 can be actual bull horns. Although theinvention has been described in detail with reference to severalembodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within thescope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1. A cooler comprising: a body; and a handle coupled to said body, saidhandle configured as a pair of horns.
 2. The cooler according to claim1, wherein said body includes an interior cavity for storing andmaintaining food and beverages.
 3. The cooler according to claim 2,further comprising a cover for closing said interior cavity, said coverbeing removably detachable from said body.
 4. The cooler according toclaim 2, further comprising a cover for closing said interior cavity,said cover being hingably attached to said body.
 5. The cooler accordingto claim 1, further comprising one or more wheels coupled to said body.6. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein said pair of horns areretractable and extendable.
 7. The cooler according to claim 1, whereinsaid pair of horns are movable in a substantially vertical direction. 8.The cooler according to claim 1, wherein said pair of horns may rotatethrough a range of 180 degrees.
 9. The cooler according to claim 1,wherein said handle further includes a member configured as a snout. 10.The cooler according to claim 9, wherein said snout member may rotatethrough a range of 180 degrees.
 11. A training apparatus comprising: abody defining a cooler space; and a pair of horns coupled to said body,said horns being retractable and extendable.
 12. The apparatus accordingto claim 11, further comprising a snout member coupled to said body. 13.The cooler according to claim 12, wherein said snout member may rotatethrough a range of 180 degrees.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13,wherein said body includes an interior cavity for storing andmaintaining food and beverages.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14,further comprising a cover for closing said interior cavity, said coverbeing removably detachable from said body.
 16. The apparatus accordingto claim 14, further comprising a cover for closing said interiorcavity, said cover being hingably attached to said body.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 13, further comprising one or more wheelscoupled to said body.
 18. The cooler according to claim 13, wherein saidpair of horns are movable in a substantially vertical direction.
 19. Thecooler according to claim 13, wherein said pair of horns may rotatethrough a range of 180 degrees.
 20. In combination: a cooler having abody with an interior cavity for storing and maintaining food andbeverages; and a training apparatus coupled to said cooler, saidtraining apparatus including a handle configured as a pair of horns. 21.The combination according to claim 20, further comprising a cover forclosing said interior cavity, said cover being removably detachable fromsaid body.
 22. The combination according to claim 20, further comprisinga cover for closing said interior cavity, said cover being hingablyattached to said body.
 23. The combination according to claim 20,further comprising one or more wheels coupled to said body.
 24. Thecombination according to claim 20, wherein said pair of horns areretractable and extendable.
 25. The combination according to claim 20,wherein said training apparatus further comprises a snout member. 26.The cooler according to claim 25, wherein said snout member may rotatethrough a range of 180 degrees.
 27. The cooler according to claim 20,wherein said pair of horns are movable in a substantially verticaldirection.
 28. The cooler according to claim 20, wherein said pair ofhorns may rotate through a range of 180 degrees.